This summer, plan & pack like a stylist.
Whether you’re getting away for a week or a weekend,
My tips are guaranteed to take the stress out of the packing process, ensure a “versa-style” travel wardrobe that works, & have you showing up looking great wherever you go.
It comes down to PLANNING, PACKING & using the right TOOLS.
Start with
THE PLANNING:
Preparation is the key to anxiety and stress reduction here.
Make a list: Think of where you’re going and what you expect to do each day and evening. You do not need a new outfit for each day and night (unless you’re on a cruise, in which case, bring it all!) And it’s not just clothing, but toiletries, meds, etc.
Dress for your destination: Then think about the local vibe. If you’re touring the French countryside, leave your high heels and tight dresses at home, and opt for comfortable shoes and easy breezy dresses instead. If you’ll be visiting a city in Europe, leave the shorts and tank tops at home and opt for more sophisticated solid pieces that can be layered and go from day to evening with a simple change of accessories. You don’t want to look like a tourist, do you?
Cultural dos-and-don’ts: Are something you must adhere to, like dressing more modestly in Muslim countries (always carry a light wrap that can be used to cover your arms when visiting a house of worship there). And bare skin off the beach is generally a no-no most places – unless you’re a 20-something!
Pack practically: You’ll want to wear outfits that are comfortable and good for walking all day in. Your trip should be about the scenery, not the clothes you wear. Leave home the linen and silk, and opt for microfibers, cottons and knits that will wrinkle less, and won’t require dry-cleaning. Hotel laundry services are a particular pet peeve of mine. I’d rather spend the money on anything else!
Start at the bottom: Never try out a new pair on vacation. Nothing worse that blisters on day one to slow you down. Try to limit yourself to three pairs of shoes. They take up awkward packing space and are typically unnecessary. A pair of sneakers/trainers, a pair of flat sandals or boots (climate-dependent) and a dressier pair of flats or mid-heels for dressier evenings generally do the trick. Also think about those leisurely after-dinner strolls when choosing these. And check the weather (see above tip) so you’re not caught wearing sandals in a storm.
Layering is key: Global warming means uncertainty, layering means versatility. Think light layers that together add whatever warmth you’ll need. They should be as thin as possible so you can fold up and put in your backpack/tote. The top of the mountain could be twenty degrees cooler than the bottom! And as warm as the beach is during the day, when the sun goes down, the chill sets in in many locales.
Choose a color palette: Start with a couple of neutrals and work in one or two accent colors for interest. The neutrals will give you that universal low-key luxury look, especially in a monochromatic outfit. I love to use cream and black as my bases, add denim and a color like cobalt, red or even yellow. Bringing color into an outfit through accessories especially adds punch. Texture is also a great way to add some umph.
Check the local weather: Both forecast and the typical temps (and amount of rain or snow) during the time you’ll there. Keep a watch out up until the day of travel, so you can pop in an umbrella and raincoat.
Preplan outfits: Create (and try on) your outfits before you pack. This helps ensure that you like how everything looks and fits before any upsetting vacay surprises. Lay everything out and take photos as a record and outfit “cheat sheet” to use while you are away. Keep them on a file on your phone for easy reference. I find that if I review the photos after putting outfits together, I will invariably eliminate a few pieces that didn’t “play well” with the majority. You will use the outfit photos for future trips as well.
Wear bulky items enroute: If you're going somewhere cold, wear your bulky coat, scarf, and boots during the commute to save space in your luggage. A down coat can double as a pillow or blanket on the plane. I bring an old pillowcase, stuff it with the coat, and plan on a window seat for those longer flights. Wear your bulkiest, yet comfortable shoes, too.
Leave behind the bling: Keep safe by featuring faux jewelry, costume is even better. Prevent yourself from being vulnerable to theft or loss. If you must bring fine jewelry, use the hotel safe when it’s not being worn.
Then onto
The PACKING:
In no certain order...all important, so take notes!
DON’T overpack! We all have those “should-have-packed” moments when the perfect piece was left behind. But extra is typically excess. Next time you return from a trip, count how many pieces you DID NOT end up wearing. Personally, I get extra creative when I’ve limited my travel wardrobe. Packing with will-power (or won’t power, as it were) is liberating- so edit ruthlessly.
You can always pick up a piece or two along the way. Every time you use it you’ll remember the trip.
Choose just-right luggage: Too-large bags will create wrinkles, plus add weight and the excuse to take way more than you need (if there’s space, you’ll be tempted to fill it). And a too-small bag will also create wrinkles, the anxiety of trying to fit it all in, and you’ll be left without room for any shopping finds. Use luggage with structure and compression features – and save the duffle bag for camping or college-bound kids. And find a bag with hidden zippers or inaccessible compartments- these can help prevent theft.
Tissue is the issue: Folding your clothes with tissue paper will further reduce wrinkling that can happen in transit. Insert a folded sheet
Rolling vs folding: It’s a matter of preference. Some swear by the Mari Kondo-style rolling technique where every piece is rolled and lined up inside your suitcase. Looks very nice, and helps prevent wrinkling, but once you get where you’re going, you have to unroll.
I prefer the folding method, along with using my favorite tool, the compression packing cubes (these are by Gonex and come in a variety of colors and sizes). I’ve been known to wax poetic about packing cubes. (Some luckies have even been gifted a set from me!) Packing cubes, with a double zipper, allow you keep your clothing far-less wrinkled, by reducing the space between each, via the compression zippers. AND you can slip the opened cube right into the hotel/Airbnb drawers and keep everything neat and organized.
And there’s bundling: one more option is to “bundle” a full outfit (sans shoes). Think of a open-faced sandwich, where the largest clothing item is the bread, and you work your way “up” with smaller and smaller items including underwear and socks. Fold the whole thing (or roll if you prefer) and you’re super-organized for that day’s outfit. I love this packing procedure for kids because it makes finding and dressing so easy- and chances are they won’t be repeating their clothes aside from outer layers. But for us, it’s not practical since you will be mixing and reusing pieces throughout the trip.
Bottom-load: Pack the heaviest items at the bottom- bottom. That means closest to the wheels or base of the bag. Prevents tipping luggage and, again, wrinkling when gravity takes over and the heavy items smash into the lighter ones.
Mind the gaps: Stuff the spaces with small things like rolled belts, glass-cases, flipflops (you’ll want for showers and spas).
Key carry-ons: Lost luggage will put a damper in the start of your trip. Pack not only the necessities, like your medications, jewelry, travel documents, electronics, and smaller toiletries in your carryon, but also a change of clothes. And whatever you like to sleep in!
EXTRA TIP: if you are traveling with a partner, pack a change of their clothes in your luggage and vice versa, so if one of your bags is lost, you still have another change of clothes.
With help from
The TOOLS:
I love my travel tools (you're welcome!)
Compression packing cubes: Get ones with double zippers: the inner to close the cube and the other to compress it.
Garment Steamer: Leave the linens and thin silks at home, but if your trip demands some higher-maintenance pieces, take along this tool for handy touchups…and a hair straightener can be used on collars in a pinch!
Tissue paper: a MUST for resisting wrinkles. Place on garment and fold around it. Use to line drawers when unpacking.
Satin pillowcase: A mini luxury saves your skin and your hair – extends your blowout, too! Make sure to get one in COLOR (I learned this the hard way after leaving a few white ones behind in hotels).
Quick-dry microfiber towel: For shortening hair-drying time as well as hand-washables
Luggage: Make sure the carryon is airline compliant. Note: International carriers allow a smaller carryon size than here in the US.
Clothing folder: For a uniform folding, especially helpful when you use compression cubes [like the stores use, or make one yourself from cardboard]
Lint roller: don't let lint ruin your look. Those notorious white napkins on black clothes!
Ziploc bags: For keeping dirty laundry and wet bathing suits and such separated from the rest of your things.
Travel scale: If going by plane, avoid being charged for overweight bags by weighing it before you leave for the airport. Take note of the weight so you have wiggle room for souvenirs (and why does dirty laundry seem to weigh more and take up extra space?!)
Enjoy stylish (and safe) summer traveling!
Note: I recommend what I love and use, but an as amazon associate I earn from qualifying purchases. It is very small, but enables me to continue to search out the best products for you.
